Sonic method and apparatus for casing driving utilizing sonic amplitude boosting



Nov. 28, 1967 mm; J 3,354,968

A. G. SONIC METHOD AND AP RATUS FOR CASING DRIVING UTILIZING SONIC AMPLITUDE BOOSTING Filed Oct. 22, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 aim @Eui m ALBERT 6 B g SI E LIQ 24 A9 /7 I i a lrraexvsy Nov. 28, 1967 5 0mg, JR 3,354,968

some METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASING DRIVING- UTILIZING SONIC AMPLITUDE BOOSTING Filed OCT. 22, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE- Z- v 73 77 60 INVENTOR.

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SONIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASING DRIVING UTILIZING SONIC AMPLITUDE BOOSTING Filed Oct. 22, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. 01.5627' 6. Boo/NE, IE.

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SONIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASING DRIVING UTILIZING SONIC AMPLITUDE BOOSTING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR. RcBEET 6. BOD/1V6; .72. BY 6 2, M

A "r ro/PMSY United States Patent M 3,354,968 SONIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAS- ING DRIVING UTILIZING SONIC AMPLI- TUDE BOOSTING Albert G. Bodine, Jr., 7877 Woodley Ave.,

Van Nuys, Calif. 91406 Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,349 8 Claims. (Cl. 175-56) This invention relates to a sonic method and apparatus for easing driving utilizing a sonic amplitude boosting technique, and more particularly to such a method and apparatus particularly advantageous in driving casings and piles at great depth below the surface in which sonic energy is applied near the driving end of the casing or pile to boost the sonic wave applied at the surface.

In driving members such as casings or piles into the earth, sonic energy applied at the top or surface end of the driven member, as described, for example, in my Patent No. 2,975,846, can be utilized to advantage in efliciently driving through earthen formations. It has been found, that when driving to tery great depth, i.e., of the order of several thousand feet, as in making deep wells, that it is often difficult to get adequate sonic energy to the driving end of the driven member due to the sonic attenuation in the long string of easing involved. In such instances, the speed and efliciency of the driving operation is markedly decreased unless very high amplitude energy is applied at the surface end of the casing string. The use of increased vibrational energy often raises the hazard of of over-stressing of the casing string and resultant damage thereto. Therefore, unless extremely rugged and somewhat expensive casing strings are used, the amount of energy that can be applied at the top end must be limited.

The method and deviceof this invention alleviates this problem by providing means for applying boosting sonic energy near to the driving end of a pile or casing. This energy is applied at the same frequency and in phase with the wave pattern transmitted down the casing string from the surface located vibrational energy source. In this manner, the acoustical energy travelling down the casing is substantially reinforced or boosted to provide ample energy to properly drive the pile or casing. Thus, the necessity for applying very high level vibrational energy at the surface end of the casing is obviated and the problems incidental thereto eliminated.

The desired end results are achieved in one form of the method and device of the invention by means of a motor driven orbiting mass oscillator mounted in a housing member which is suspended on a cable within the pile or casing being driven into the earthen formation. The orbiting mass oscillator housing member is joined to the driven casing near the driving end thereof at an optimal energy transfer point by means of a magnetic clamping device. The clamping action of the magnetic clamping device is controlled from the surface so that the clamping position can be experimentally adjusted as necessary to assure optimum in-phase coupling of the wave energy generated by the booster oscillator unit. The booster oscillator is driven by a torque responsive prime mover so that the oscillator locks in with the wave pattern produced in the casing string by the surface oscillator, to provide optimum energy utilization in the driving operation.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved method and device for the deep driving of casings and piles into earthen formations.

It is a further object of this invention to enable the more efiicient utilization of sonic energy for driving casings and piles.

It is still another object of this invention to lessen the stress placed On a casing string when driving such string 3,354,968 Patented Nov. 28, 1967 at substantial distances from a surface-located vibrational driving source.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for boosting the amplitude of sonic driving energy for driving at substantial distances from the surface.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide clamping means for facilitating the connection of a vibrational energy source to a casing at an optimal point near the driving end thereof.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating the method and device of the invention,

FIGS. 2-4 are progressive elevational views partially in cross-section illustrating the suspension and booster oscillator mechanisms of a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane indicated by 5-5 in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane indicated by 6-6 in FIG. 2,

FIGS. 7 and 8 are elevational cross-sectional views illustrating a preferred embodiment of the clamping mechanism utilized in the device of the invention,

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane indicated by 9-9 in FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view as taken along the plane indicated by 1010 in FIG. 7,

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view as taken along the plane indicated by 1111 in FIG. 7.

It has been most helpful in analyzing the operation of the device of the invention to analogize the acoustically vibrating circuit involved to an equivalent electrical circuit. This sort of analogy is well known to those skilled in the art and is described, for example, in Chapter 2 of Sonics by Hueter and Bolt, published in 1955 by John Wiley and Sons. In making such an analogy, force, F, is equated with electrical voltage, E; velocity of vibration, u, is equated with electrical current, i; mechanical compliance, C is equated with electrical capacitance, C mass, M, is equated with electrical inductance, L; mechanical resistance (friction), R is equated with electrical resistance, R; and mechanical impedance, Z is equated with electrical impedance, Z Thus, it can be shown that if a member is elastically vibrated by means of an acoustical sinusoidal force, F sin wt (to being equal to 21r times the frequency of vibration), that Where wM is equal to l/wC a resonant condition exists, and the effective mechanical impedance, Z is equal to the mechanical resistance, R the reactive impedance components wM and 1/ wC cancelling each other out. Under such a resonant condition, velocity of vibration, u, is at a maximum, power factor is unity, and energy is most efficiently delivered to a load to which the resonant system may be coupled.

Just as .in electrical circuitry, maximum acoustical energy can be transferred where a good impedance match exists, i.e., Where the two elements between which the energy transfer occurs have like impedances. This fact becomes particularly significant in the device and method of this invention in the transfer of energy from the housing of the vibrational booster source to the driving casing in effecting the optimum utilization of the vibrational energy. Thus the vibrational booster source is coupled to the driving casing at a point where an impedance match exists to assure that the boosting energy is transferred in phase with the surface generated energy to provide the maximum eifectivity thereof.

It is also important to note the significance of the attainment of high acoustical Q in the casing members being driven by both the prime and booster energy sources, to increase the efficiency of the vibration thereof and to provide a maximum amount of energy for the driving operation. As for an equivalent electrical circuit, the Q of an acoustically vibrating circuit is defined as the sharpness of resonance thereof and is indicative of the ratio of the energy stored in each vibration cycle to the energy used in each such cycle. Q is mathematically equated to the ratio between wM and wR Thus, the effective Q of the vibrating circuit can be maximized to make for highly efficient, high amplitude vibration by minimizing the effective friction in the circuit and/or maximizing the effective mass in such circuit.

In considering the significance of the parameters described in connection with Equation 1, it should be kept in mind that the total effective resistance, mass, and compliance in the acoustically vibrating circuit are represented in the equation and that these parameters may be distributed throughout the system rather than being lumped in any one component or portion thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the basic operation of the invention is illustrated. This figure shows a casing 25 being driven into an earthen formation 18 at a considerable depth below the surface. Tightly clamped to casing 25 at a point thereon near the surface end thereof is an orbiting mass oscillator 30, which causes longitudinal resonant vibration of the casing to set up standing waves therealong having the general pattern indicated by wave form graph 22. With oscillator 30 alone providing vibrational energy to the casing, ie without the use of booster oscillator unit 11, the peak amplitude of the wave form indicated by graph 22 will decrease appreciably as we approach the driving end of the casing, in view of the attenuation due to frictional losses. With booster oscillator unit 11 operating in conjunction with surface located oscillator 30, the peak amplitude of the wave form will, as indicated by graph 22, be effectively as high near the driving end of the casing as at the surface end thereof.

Orbiting mass oscillator 30 may be of the type described in my copending application Ser. No. 454,335, filed May 10, 1965. This type of oscillator comprises a pair of rotors 31, each contained in an associated casing 32. Rotors 31 are caused to rotate in opposite directions around the inner surfaces of the casings in a phasal relationship such that when they are in the position indicated and in a position 180 removed therefrom, a longitudinal vibration is imparted to their casings. Transverse vibrations are effectively cancelled out in view of the opposite directions of rotation of the rotors which, for example, when the rotors are 90 from the indicated positions, results in equal and opposite force vectors. Various types of such orbiting mass oscillators are available and the particular type shown and described is merely illustrative, any type of orbiting mass oscillator suitable for providing adequate longitudinal vibration of casing 25 being usable.

Suspended within the casing 25 on cable 21 is booster oscillator unit 11. Booster oscillator unit 11, as to be described in connection with the other figures, includes a vibrational oscillator and its prime mover. The housing of booster oscillator unit 11 is vibrationally driven by means of its associated orbiting mass oscillator. Booster oscillator unit 11 is attached to driving casing 25 near the end thereof by means of clamping device 19, the clamping action of which is electrically controllable from the surface. Clamping mechanism 19, as to be explained in detail in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, has a plurality of clamping pads 24 which move outwardly when the clamping mechanism is energized to provide tight clamping of the housing of oscillator unit 11 casing 25. The clamping action of clamping mechanism 19 can be released merely by throwing a switch (not shown) at the surface, and the position along casing 25 at which clamping joinder is made is experimentally adjusted to achieve maximum vibrational boosting effect as indicated by the amplitude of vibration of casing 25 at its surface end. As the booster oscillator has a torque responsive prime mover, the booster oscillator tends to phase lock with the basic wave pattern generated by oscillator 30. The boosting action provided by means of the booster oscillator thus provides a wave pattern 22 having relatively high amplitude at the driving end of casing 25, and thereby compensates for the attenuation along the casing string.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, a preferred embodiment of the suspension and booster oscillator mechanisms of a preferred embodiment of the invention are illustrated. FIGS. 2-6 show successive adjacent portions of such mechanisms as going from the top portions to the bottom portions thereof.

The mechanisms are suspended from above on cable 21. Cable 21 is attached to pin member 40, which in turn is fixedly attached to linkage assembly 42. Linkage assembly 42 has a neoprene isolator member 43 contained within the casing 45 thereof. Slidably mounted in casing 45 above isolator member 43 is piston member 44, which is fixedly attached to U-shaped bar member 47 by means of pin 48. U-shaped bar 47 is joined to housing 60 by means of link members 50 and 51. Thus, vibrational isolation is provided between suspension cable 21 and the booster drive mechanism by means of linkage assembly 42, with piston member 44 suspending the oscillator unit on resilient isolator member 43. The linkage assembly and the adjacent components are covered by protective boot 46.

Electrical power is provided to drive motor 55 by means of electrical lines 56' and 57. Electric motor 55 is mounted within the housing 60 on an isolator sleeve 62, which may be fabricated of neoprene. Additional vibrational isolation for motor 55 is provided by neoprene isolator 65. The splined output shaft 59 of motor 55 drives bevel gear 67 which in turn drives bevel gear 69. Bevel gear 69 is attached to shaft 70 which in turn is rotatably mounted in housing 60. Also attached to shaft 70 is drive gear 71, which rotatably drives the gear train including gears 73, 74 and 76. Each of gears 73, 74 and 76 is fixedly attached to a shaft 77, 78 and 79 respectively, which in turn are rotatably mounted in housing 60. Fixedly attached to shafts 78 and 79 by means of bolts 80 are eccentric rotor members 83 and 84 respectively. Rotor members 83 and 84 are synchronously driven on their associated shafts to provide a vibration along the longitudinal axis of housing 60 at a frequency determined by the rotation speed of drive shaft 59 of motor 55. Thus, vibrational energy is imparted to housing 60 along its longitudinal axis. Two or more additional rotor members (not shown), similar to rotor members 83 and 84, driven by a gear train located between gears 74 and 76, are preferably utilized to provide the necessary high vibrational output.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4, and 7-11, the preferred embodiment of a clamping mechanism 19 which may be utilized to couple the booster oscillator output to casing 25 is shown. In FIG. 8, the clamping mechanism is shown in its released position, and in FIG. 7, such mechanism is shown with its magnetic drive coils 93 energized so as to effect clamping attachment to casing 25. Plate 89 is attached to housing 60 by means of screws 88 and forms the top wall of a compartment in which armature member is contained. Armature member 100 is threadably attached to rod 94. Isolator member 86 is fixedly attached to plate 89 to provide a cushion for armature member 100 at the end of its upward travel.

Fixedly mounted within housing 60 are magnetic coils 93 which when energized operate to draw armature 100 downward. Connected to shaft 94 by means of cross-arms, 103 and 104 is conically shaped actuator member 105. Actuator member 105 has a hollow central portion which slidably fits over post 102. Post 102 is fixedly attached to end cap 23. End cap 23 has a dovetail fit with housing 60 and is attached thereto by means of screws 27.

Four symmetrically positioned pad members 24 are held in position against actuator 105 by means of coil springs 95 and 96. The outer walls of pad members 24 fit through corresponding apertures 107 formed in the walls of housing 60. Electrical power is supplied to magnetic coils 93 through wire leads 91 and 92.

When electrical coils 93 are de-energized, the various components assume the general positions indicated in FIG. 8. Under such conditions, actuator 105 is driven upwardly by spring 97 and carries shaft 94 and armature 100 up along with it. With actuator 105 in its upward position (as indicated in FIG. 8), clamping pads 24 are drawn inwardly against the armature surfaces by springs 95 and 96 such that the outer walls of pads 24 are retracted away from inner walls of casing 25, thus leaving oscillator unit 11 free to slide up and down within casing 25. With the energization of coils 93, as indicated in FIG. 7, armature 100 is drawn downwardly causing actuator 105 to force the outer walls of pads 24 into tight clamping engagement with casing 25.

Thus, various positions along the wall of casing 25 for coupling the booster oscillator output can be experimentally tried until the one for optimum acceptance of energy by the casing is found. In this manner, boosting energy can be most efiiciently utilized with the entire operation being controlled by means of a few simple surface operations.

While the method and device of this invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited only by the terms of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A method for utilizing vibrational energy in driving an elongated member into an earthen formation comprising the steps of applying vibrational energy to said member at the surface end thereof from a first vibrational energy source to drive said member into said earthen formation,

placing a second vibrational energy source having an output at a frequency substantially the same as that of said first energy source at a point near the driving end of said member, and

removably connecting said second vibrational source to said member at a point therealong so as to provide in-phase vibrational energy in said member to boost the energy supplied thereto by said first vibrational source.

2. A method for utilizing vibrational energy in driving a hollow elongated member into an earthen formation comprising the steps of applying vibrational energy to said member at the surface end thereof from a first vibrational energy source to drive said member into said earthen formation,

placing a second vibrational energy source having an output at a frequency the same as that of said first energy source within said member at a point near the driving end thereof, and

removably connecting said second vibrational source to said member at a point therealong so as to provide in-phase vibrational energy to boost the energy sup- 6 plied by said first vibrational source, the connection point of said second vibrational source to said member being adjusted experimentally until maximum vibration of said casing is observed at the surface end thereof.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said vibrational energy is applied to said member at the surface end thereof by means of an orbiting mass oscillator attached to said member.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said second vibrational energy source comprises an orbiting mass oscillator driven by a torque responsive prime mover so that said second vibrational energy source locks in with the wave pattern generated in said member by said first energy source.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein said second vibrational energy source is clamped to said member by means of a magnetically driven clamping mechanism controlled from the surface.

6. A booster oscillator unit for applying vibrational energy to the driving end of a casing to be driven into an earthen formation to reinforce energy applied thereto from the surface end thereof comprising an oscillator housing member,

means for suspending said oscillator housing member within said casing to be driven,

a vibrational oscillator mounted within said oscillator housing member for inducing vibration thereof, and

a magnetic clamping mechanism for removably clamping said oscillator housing member to said casing to be driven at a point therealong to provide in-phase coupling of the energy output thereof, said clamping mechanism comprising a plurality of clamping pads arranged symmetrically within said oscillator housing member, said oscillator housing member having apertures formed therein through which said clamping pads extend, means for resiliently urging said pads inwardly away from the walls of said casing to be driven, actuator means for driving said pads outwardly against the walls of said casing to be driven, magnetic drive means for driving said actuator means, and means for selectively energizing said magnetic drive means.

7. The device as recited in claim 6 wherein said actuator means comprises a conically shaped actuator member surrounded by said pads.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said magnetic drive means comprises magnetic coil means fixedly mounted in said oscillator casing, a drive shaft attached to said actuator member, and an armature member attached to said shaft, said armature member being drawn towards said magnetic coil means on the energization thereof, whereby said actuator member drives said pads into clamping engagement with said casing to be driven.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,360,803 10/ 1944- Steuernian 55 2,554,005 5/1951 Bodine 17556 X 3,023,820 3/1962 Desvaux et al 175-55 3,049,185 8/1962 Herbold 175-55 X 3,312,295 4/1967 Bodine 175-65 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. R. E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A METHOD FOR UTILIZING VIBRATIONAL ENERGY IN DRIVING AN ELONGATED MEMBER INTO AN EARTHEN FORMATION COMPRISING THE STEPS OF APPLYING VIBRATIONAL ENERGY TO SAID MEMBER AT THE SURFACE END THEREOF FROM A FIRST VIBRATIONAL ENERGY SOURCE TO DRIVE SAID MEMBER INTO SAID EARTHEN FORMATION, PLACING A SECOND VIBRATIONAL ENERGY SOURCE HAVING AN OUTPUT AT A FREQUENCY SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THAT OF SAID FIRST ENERGY SOURCE AT A POINT NEAR THE DRIVING END OF SAID MEMBER, AND 